grow. Let the bed be six to eight inches or 
more deep, to insure coolness and moisture 
retention. When planting, do not remove the 
soil and peatmoss adhering to the roots. 
Strong two-year plants from seed: 50 cents each, 
6 for $2.50, $5 a dozen. Shipping season, early April 
through October. 
Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) 
T O those who know the streamsides and the 
margins of lakes and marshlands from 
New Brunswick to the Pacific Coast, and 
southward through the eastern section of the 
country as far as Florida, the glowing flame 
of the Cardinal Flower’s blossoms in late 
summer is an unforgettable memory. Of all 
our native plants, this is the most arresting 
red, a strikingly intense and luminous scarlet- 
cardinal. 
Cardinal Flower is a perennial which, un¬ 
der favorable conditions, reaches a height of 
four feet or more. Its vivid, somewhat loosely 
formed blossoms are borne in long spires at 
the tops of erect stalks which, in a well de¬ 
veloped plant, may number a half-dozen or 
more. When happily situated the clumps 
increase in size by offsets from the crown, 
and in addition to this a certain amount of 
self-sowing may be expected. Altogether it is 
a plant of outstanding merit, especially where 
a fairly tall, almost startlingly effective color 
accent in late summer is desired. 
It should not be assumed that Cardinal 
Flower requires a wet location. On the con¬ 
trary, it is likely to grow better and be 
longer-lived in a place which is no more than 
average in moisture. The ordinary border, if 
not noticeably dry, suits it quite well. It 
should be provided, however, with a rather 
heavy soil, even verging on “muck,” and with¬ 
out an appreciable amount of lime. The ideal 
chemical condition is slightly acid, though 
either neutral or strongly acid is all right. 
For exposure, anything from full shade to 
three-quarters sun. 
Strong year-old plants from seed: 50 cents each, 
6 for $2.50, $5 a dozen. Shipping seasons, early April 
to mid-May, and mid-September through October. 
Creeping Bluet (Houstonia serpyllifolia) 
H ere is the southern mountain cousin of 
the beloved Quaker Ladies of our New 
England meadows (H. coerulea )—and a 
cousin very well worth knowing, indeed. 
